Operation Failed

The collapsing wall kicked up a gale of dust and debris, surging violently in every direction. But at that moment, none of it could draw even the slightest bit of Hermione's attention.

"Bell, you finally came!"

As she spoke, Hermione leaned forward and threw herself into Bell's arms.

The previous battle had drained far too much of her energy and Magic Power. Now that she saw Bell and finally let herself relax, Hermione felt as though a red-hot iron were stirring through her mind, leaving her in unbearable pain.

"Mm, I'm here. It's all right now. Get some proper rest."

Bell gently stroked Hermione's hair. A green glow flickered in his palm as he helped soothe her taut nerves.

The two remained quietly like that for about a minute before Hermione seemed to remember something. She abruptly raised her head and looked at Bell.

"Bell, did you see the attacker? She disguised herself as Parvati."

After their intense exchange, Hermione knew only too well how powerful the attacker was.

Although she had used magical items to break through the blockade her opponent had set up, she had no confidence that she had actually defeated her.

"The attacker? Isn't she right over there?"

Bell shifted slightly and gestured toward where the door had once stood. There, the attacker—Hermenium—was slumped against the wall without moving.

"Is she... is she dead?"

Seeing her sitting there so quietly, as though she had stopped breathing, Hermione felt as if an invisible hand had clenched around her heart, making it difficult to breathe.

She had been through quite a few battles, large and small. She had seen her share of dead people. She had even witnessed gruesome scenes of people burned to ashes or blown to pieces by Curses.

But she had never actually killed someone